Nicholas “Nick” Karthas dedicated 34 years to serving our country across three major wars. A proud Navy veteran, he began his service during WWII at just 17 years old and continued through Korea, Vietnam, and later as a Navy recruiter. Nick’s remarkable journey spanned the decks of Destroyer Escorts and aircraft carriers, including the USS Huse, USS Marsh, and …
Posts
Honoring John Ramirez: Faithful Soldier, Family Man, and Friend
John served in the United States Army with pride and purpose, but it was his strength of character that made a lasting impact. John grew up with a strong sense of duty to his family and his country. He was a proud soldier, a loving father, and a man of deep faith who found joy in lifting others up. After …
In Honor of Isaac Ruiz, Jr.
United States Marine Corps Veteran | 1961–1965June 12, 1943 – February 10, 2025Laid to Rest at Los Angeles National Cemetery A proud Marine, athlete, activist, actor, and community leader—Isaac lived a life full of heart and purpose. From breaking records in the Marine Corps to starring on Chico and the Man, and pioneering Spanish-language sports broadcasting with the University of …
In Memoriam
Robert “Bob” Ramirez, a lifelong Angelino and member of the El Rio Veterans group, leaves behind a legacy of dedicated service and community leadership. A proud graduate of Cathedral High School, Bob’s career path led him from the Southern Pacific Railroad to the U.S. Air Force in 1965. His deployment to Vietnam in 1966 as a Security Police Specialist with …
Honoring Heroes: Recap of our Veterans Day Celebration
We recently celebrated Veterans Day at El Rio de Los Angeles State Park, where we proudly honored Camila Reyes-Perez (USMC), Steven Gusman (USMC), Nicholas Karthas (US Navy), and Rafael Gritzewsky (US Army). Check out the highlights of the event and join us as we strive to recognize more local heroes in the future. Your support makes a difference!
Flag Day Celebration in Highland Park
On June 14, 2023, the El Rio Veterans gathered at the intersection of Figueroa and York Blvd in Highland Park to celebrate Flag Day. The veterans were concerned about the site being neglected and arranged a meeting with CD 1 to get the site up and running. The efforts paid off, as trees were trimmed, lighting was repaired, and new …